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Will Tomorrow’s Manufacturing Robots Be More Revolutionary Than Today’s?

Tech leaders both warn against and advocate for the integration of more artificial intelligence and robotic automation in our homes, workplaces, and public spaces. Robotics and automation systems allow us to speed up production and devote more time to innovation. With that, however, we also may be sacrificing control and putting too much trust and reliance on machinery when there’s a lot of room for things to go wrong.

Most people are concerned with how robots will impact the modern workforce. As they become smarter, more compact, dexterous, and safer, it’s easy to see how they’ll make life easier in manufacturing, doing everything from installing components to helping in the manufacture, packaging and shipping of those components. While they’re expected to play an increasing role in the workforce, will they be functioning in a capacity that is all that different from their past and present capacity?

“Yes, robots will replace some people who now perform manual work. But they will also require companies large and small to employ thousands of workers with skills in analytics, programming, system integration, and interaction design. Ambitious workers — especially those with access to training — will gain new perspectives and new opportunities to contribute. Robots can do some things better and faster than we can, but they’ll never completely replace human perspectives or judgment. They’ll just do more of the math, pound more of the rivets and thread more of the needles, sometimes on their own and sometimes with a member of the frontline team.”

How do you feel about the growing prevalence of robotics in the manufacturing sector? Do you expect them to make your life easier or has that happened already? Do you think they’re doing a disservice to American workers? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Al Felice|Blog|Comments Off on Will Tomorrow’s Manufacturing Robots Be More Revolutionary Than Today’s?